Derbyshire keen to build on brace

11 January 2011 08:30

Birmingham striker Matt Derbyshire is eyeing more success in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at West Ham after finally kick-starting his Blues career at the weekend.

Derbyshire has put himself firmly in contention for the match at Upton Park after netting twice in the 4-1 triumph at Millwall in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

"The lads are buzzing about this tie. It's a chance to pick up a trophy, a very good chance to pick up a trophy. Teams may never get this opportunity again so you have to grasp it with both hands and go and play your normal game," said Derbyshire.

The former Blackburn player has struggled to establish himself since moving to St Andrew's on loan from Greek outfit Olympiacos, but that frustration will be eased if he can help Birmingham reach their first major final for a decade.

Derbyshire said: "It's been very difficult for me. I won't lie to you. I haven't been given a massive opportunity at Birmingham City so far. I was obviously thinking 'is this the right place for me at the moment?'

"But hopefully this can be the start of things to come for me back in England. The manager told me to be patient and that my opportunity will come - which it has done.

"I still believed in what I can do and my head never dropped and I never spat my dummy out. I've worked hard on the training ground and waited for my opportunity to come. To score two goals and win at the weekend was massive."

Derbyshire was in the Blackburn team which lost a League Cup semi-final to Manchester United but he is confident of going one step further with Birmingham.

He said: "Manchester United were the favourites last time I played in the semi-finals but this is a 50-50 shot.

"If I looked around both dressing rooms, I know which dressing room I'd rather be in and that's Birmingham City's."